Page 65 of Resolution
“Are they going to be okay?” Maddie asks.
“They’ll be fine. I promise,” I say as I rub the spot that was kicked the hardest. “You did this, too, Maddie, at a New Year’s display.”
“Really?” she asks in disbelief.
“Sure did, kiddo. You also liked to dance to anything with a loud bass.”
“No wonder you like to dance,” Soren adds.
Soon, the babies settle down, and we all go back to watching the beautiful display of fireworks Riggs has provided for our entertainment. We leave right after, not only is it late, but Enzo has to work tomorrow. We say our goodbyes, and I can’t help as I look at the tired kids in our car, how blessed we really are.
It’s two days later that I come to find out how good we had it on the Fourth of July. I’m sitting in my office when I get a call over the intercom. Brenda’s voice is full of concern when she states, “Sam… You have a Jason Riggs here to see you. Can I send him in?”
26
Samantha
Instantly,my body goes cold and I’m filled with dread. There’s no good reason on this earth why Riggs would show up at my office.What the fuck has happened to Enzo?Tears suddenly fill my eyes and I’m frozen in place.
“Sam… Can I send him in?” Brenda asks again, breaking me out of my panic for the moment.
“Sure…” I somehow manage to say.
I’m still frozen to my chair and can’t do anything. It feels like hours have passed and there’s no sign of Riggs at my door. Finally, there’s a slight tap, and the door’s pushed open.
The unreadable expression he has plastered in place leaves me little hope. If I thought that was bad, the stern, “Samantha, we need to talk,” has me in near hysterics. The ice that fills my veins has me trembling on the spot.
Riggs doesn’t wait for me to say anything, but sits in the chair across from me on the couch. He doesn’t relax, but sits on the edge as if he’s going to destroy my life in a matter of minutes. “I’ve got some news you need to hear.”
Oh. My. God. This is it. Something’s happened to Enzo. Suddenly, Riggs is out of focus and I can’t see his expression clearly.I need to be able to read his expression. I have to really hear what he is saying.I wipe at my eyes to concentrate on him, and my hand is met with wetness. Christ, I’m crying and I didn’t even know it.
“Breathe, Samantha,” he whispers. “You’ve gotta breathe.”
“Okay,” comes out as barely a whisper. I take in a deep breath and force myself to let it out.
“Samantha.” He reaches for my hand. He can’t be dead. Please, God, don’t let him say Enzo’s dead.
“There was a situation in the field.”
I gasp and do my best to remain upright.
“Enzo’s team has lost all communication after being fired at twelve hours ago.”
Tears roll down my face. I don’t even bother to wipe them away as I shake my head in denial. This cannot be happening.
“We’re fairly certain they weren’t hit, but we’re unable to locate them at this time.”
“Wh… What does th… that mean?” I stammer.
“They followed protocol and went radio silent. They made it to their first checkpoint, but we haven’t heard from them since.”
This gives me a glimmer of hope. But I still don’t understand. Since I can’t seem to find my voice, I stare at him, desperately waiting for him to continue.
He takes a deep breath, and in the time it takes for him to exhale, it takes everything in me not to come out of my chair and throttle him.Why won’t he just say it already?
Just as I’m about to find my voice, he begins again, “We’re not sure if anything’s been compromised, and until we have any definitive news, we’d like for you to come to headquarters. We’ll be able to keep you informed of all updates, as well as provide for anything you need.”
At first, I don’t comprehend what this means. I replay his words in my mind until I finally realize he’s waiting for me to respond. “My kids are at their grandparents’ for the week in Montana. They left yesterday and won’t be back for a week. Do we need to get them?”
